‘Robust’ enrollment expected in Tenn.

WASHINGTON— Thousands of Tennesseans are expected to buy health insurance in the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace during the second round of enrollment that opened Saturday.

More than 151,000 Tennesseans — 21,000 in Shelby County alone — purchased insurance through the federal marketplace during the first year of enrollment, despite computer glitches and other mishaps that beset the program.

Even with the problems, the state’s enrollment exceeded forecasts, raising expectations for round two.

While the federal government hasn’t released statewide projections for the next round, “We are looking forward to having a very robust open enrollment period this time,” said Jacob Flowers, Tennessee state director for Enroll America, a nonprofit that works to make sure Americans retain health-care coverage.

After the first enrollment period, more than 14,000 people in Shelby County who were previously uninsured obtained coverage, causing the county’s uninsured rate to drop by three points — from 18 percent to 15 percent.

The largest concentration of enrollees in Shelby County during the first enrollment was in the ZIP codes 38115, 38116 and 38109, in southwestern and southeastern corners of the county. All three areas had more than 1,100 enrollees.

The challenge is to make sure that everyone who enrolled in a health insurance plan through the marketplace signs up again. Enroll America has been working with the city of Memphis and other partners on a campaign that includes distributing literature and even driving people to enrollment events, Flowers said.

The groups are also encouraging enrollees to take advantage of the “Get Covered Connector,” an online application that puts consumers in touch with specialists who can help them apply for coverage. “We find once people have the proper information, they are getting reenrolled,” Flowers said.

The new enrollment period runs through Feb. 15, 2015.